County Executive Andy Spano recently wrote to newly appointed VA Secretary Shinseki asking him to re-examine the CARES study completed under the Bush administration and consider keeping the Montrose VA Hospital open and fully functional for Hudson Valley area veterans.

Citing the CARES study data as inaccurate and pre-dating combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the county executive asked for a meeting with Secretary Shinseki to discuss leaving all the current treatment facilities and returning those services that have been closed and relocated over the last ten years.

In addition, Spano continues to support the Montrose Elders’ development plan to add a Continuum Care Retirement Community and to enhance other services as part of the Veterans Village concept. The county opposes private development of the currently underutilized site and supports the Elders’ proposal as a viable alternative that would provide necessary medical care, even with the continued phase-down of services by the VA.

“The Montrose campus was once owned by Westchester County and given over to the VA after World War II to be used as a veterans hospital,” he said. “I am committed to keeping it entirely for veterans use,” he added.